The Woman in White

One of the greatest mystery thrillers ever written, Wilkie Collins's The Woman in White was a phenomenal best seller in the 1860s, achieving even greater success than works by Charles Dickens. Full of surprise, intrigue, and suspense, this vastly entertaining novel continues to enthrall audiences today.

The Financier

Set in 18th century Philadelphia, the book follows Frank as he amasses a large fortune through stock speculation and purchases of shares in the growing street railway industry. He marries an older woman and has two children and uses his new found wealth to become socially prominent. Things however take a turn for the worst when he has an affair with Aileen Butler, the daughter of a politically prominent Irish industrialist.

Le Pere Goriot

Honoré de Balzac uses his classic style of detail to describe a most controversial setting in his novel Le Pere Goriot. The story takes place in Paris just after the fall of Napoleon in 1819. The story focuses on three characters, Rastignac, a student who wants to try and make it big in the capital, Vautrin, an interesting and funny character who is also quite mysterious, and the main character, Goriot, that carries a heavy burden that only a loving parent would endure.

The Chimes

A poverty stricken old man, Toby "Trotty" Veck, who does odd messenger jobs for cash is in wonder at the cruelty and heartlessness of the world. He contemplates whether people are good or bad and through a series of events with a prostitute and her abusive pimp, corrupt politicians, purse thieves, and a mother who commits suicide after killing her child, he sees that people are indeed vile and evil beings who must be born that way to be so awful.

The Age of Reason

The Age of Reason is formed of two parts. The first, written in 1793 in France during the revolution, is a criticism of not just the Christian church, although it is primarily focused on Christian theology, but as a rejection of all forms of organized religion, including Judaism and Islam. However, Paine's position is not one of atheism, and he begins the book with a declaration of faith in one god.

The Return of Sherlock Holmes

This collection of 13 short mystery stories features everyone's favorite detective, Sherlock Holmes, and his assistant, Dr. Watson. Three years after Holmes disappears and is presumed dead, he reappears and picks up right where he left off with Watson.

Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

Written from his death bed, The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant are written by the most well-known Civil War General himself, Ulysses S. Grant. In a review of his life as a private citizen, as well as a general, Grant lets the listener know what a heroic figure he really was. Like so many men before him, Grant describes being pressured into a certain way of life by his father. He never aspired for a military career, but his father insisted on West Point Academy for his schooling.

Tarzan of the Apes

A man and his wife are left deserted on an island after the crew onboard the ship they are traveling on mutinies. With nothing but their luggage and some supplies, the couple must find a way to survive in the intense jungle environment. Finding refuge and living in a treehouse, they end up having a son together, but soon after, Alice, the mother, dies, and the father is killed by a vicious gorilla. The baby is adopted by a grieving gorilla mother and raised amongst them as one of their own. He is named Tarzan.

Vanity Fair [AudioGo]

Set during the time of the Napoleonic Wars, this classic gives a satirical picture of a worldly society. The novel revolves around the exploits of the impoverished but beautiful and devious Becky Sharp.

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is a book released in 1863 by John Stuart Mill to provide the support for the value of utilitarianism as a moral theory and to respond to misconceptions about it. =The book consists of five chapters; the introduction to the essay, the definition of utilitarianism and its common criticisms, the rewards it can offer the methods of proving its validity and in the final chapter looks at the connection between justice and utility and argues that happiness is the foundation of justice.

Bleak House

A complex plot of love and inheritance is set against the English legal system of the mid-19th century. As the case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce drags on, it becomes an obsession to everyone involved. And the issue on an inheritance ultimately becomes a question of murder.

The Talisman

The Talisman revolves around the Third Crusader's camp in the Holy Land whereby there exists a truce between the Christians and the Muslims. The camp, which is led by King Richard I of England (the Lion-heart) who is grievously ill, is being torn apart by tensions between rival leaders.

His Last Bow

His Last Bow is a collection of eight Sherlock Holmes mysteries, including "The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge", "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box", "The Adventure of the Red Circle", "The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans", "The Adventure of the Dying Detective", "The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax", "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot", and "His Last Bow".

Beowulf

In Denmark, a very prosperous and popular ruler, King Hrothgar, has built a large mead hall and encouraged all of his soldiers to be jubilant and merry. The commotion from the festivities has greatly upset a horrible demon, Grendel, who lives in the swamp. Every night the demon terrorizes the community forcing the Danes to suffer at the hand of the beast for many years until a young Geatish warrior, Beowulf, hears of the plight King Hrothgar has endured.

Jude the Obscure

When the great Thomas Hardy published this heart-wrenching novel, he had no idea it would be his last. But the book stirred so much controversy and protest, Hardy vowed to never write fiction again. Jude the Obscure tells the story of a stonemason, tricked into a loveless marriage, who craves a formal education and a finer existence. Separated from his wife, Jude begins a new life with his cousin, and the couple defies social convention at every turn.

Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life

When her father assassinates Henry Carson, his employer's son and Mary's admirer, suspicion falls on Mary's second admirer, Jem, a fellow worker. Mary has to prove her lover's innocence without incriminating her own father.

The Way We Live Now

In this world of bribes, vendettas and swindling, in which heiresses are gambled and won, Trollope's characters embody all the vices: Lady Carbury is 'false from head to foot'; her son Felix has 'the instincts of a horse, not approaching the higher sympathies of a dog'; and Melmotte - the colossal figure who dominates the book - is a 'horrid, big, rich scoundrel... a bloated swindler... a vile city ruffian'.

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

The young Danish Prince, Hamlet, is vexed by a trip home to Denmark from school in Germany, to attend his father, the king's funeral. Upon arriving at home, Hamlet has discovered that his mother has already become married to the former King's brother, Hamlet's uncle. What's more, the man has declared himself to be King of Denmark even though Hamlet was the true and rightful heir. Hamlet is enraged by this deception, and immediately suspects foul play in his father's murder.

The Valley of Fear

Only Holmes and Watson can get to the bottom of this baffling murder mystery. John Douglas is found in his study, blasted faceless by a sawed-off shotgun. There is no obvious motive or suspect. Douglas and his wife, Ivy, a rich and locally popular couple, have lived for years in the ancient, moated Birlstone Manor House. Despite Douglas' nightly ritual of raising the drawbridge, the perpetrator had somehow concealed himself, shot Douglas, and made a clean getaway.

Mansfield Park

Shy, fragile Fanny Price is the consummate "poor relation". Sent to live with her wealthy uncle Thomas, she clashes with his spoiled, selfish daughters and falls in love with his son. Their lives are further complicated by the arrival of a pair of witty, sophisticated Londoners, whose flair for flirtation collides with the quiet, conservative country ways of Mansfield Park.

Middlemarch

Dorothea Brooke is an ardent idealist who represses her vivacity and intelligence for the cold, theological pedant Casaubon. One man understands her true nature: the artist Will Ladislaw. But how can love triumph against her sense of duty and Casaubon’s mean spirit? Meanwhile, in the little world of Middlemarch, the broader world is mirrored: the world of politics, social change, and reforms, as well as betrayal, greed, blackmail, ambition, and disappointment.

Dombey and Son

Dombey and Son is vintage Dickens and explores the classic themes of betrayal, cruelty and deceit. Dombey's dysfunctional relationships are painted against a backdrop of social unrest in industrialized London, which is populated by a host of fascinating and memorable secondary characters. The complete and unabridged novel is brought spectacularly to life by veteran reader David Timson.

Nicholas Nickleby

The most gorgeously theatrical of all Dickens's novels, Nicholas Nickleby follows the delightful adventures of a hearty young hero in 19th-century England. Nicholas, a gentleman's son fallen upon hard times, must set out to make his way in the world. His journey is accompanied by some of the most swaggering scoundrels and unforgettable eccentrics in Dickens's pantheon.

Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe is the perfect novel for any listener who loves an action-packed adventure based on the mythology and legends of Medieval times in England. Set in the 12th century, Ivanhoe is the story of a young man who joins up with Richard the Lion Hearted during a dark time where England is split between the Normans and the Saxons, pitting friends and family against each other through the conquering of land and the changing seats of the Royal Family.

Audible Editor Reviews

When 18-year-old Rachel Verinder inherits a costly and religiously precious gem from her corrupt uncle, who acquired the object by force during a tour with the British Royal Forces in India, little does she know that total mayhem will ensue when the diamond is almost immediately stolen - kicking off a convoluted series of events in which suspicion and despair reign supreme....

Actor James Langton performs this unmissable 19th-century literary mystery with stately elegance, his strong pacing revitalizing the suspense of this classic tale, considered by esteemed mystery writer Dorothy Sayers to be "probably the very finest detective story ever written".

Publisher's Summary

Called "the first and greatest of English detective novels" by T. S. Eliot, Wilkie Collins's The Moonstone is a masterpiece of suspense.

A fabulous yellow diamond becomes the dangerous inheritance of Rachel Verinder. Outside her Yorkshire country house watch the Hindu priests who have waited for many years to reclaim their ancient talisman, looted from the holy city of Somnauth.

When the Moonstone disappears, the case looks simple, but in mid-Victorian England, no one is what they seem, and nothing can be taken for granted. Witnesses, suspects, and detectives each narrate the story in turn. The bemused butler, the love-stricken housemaid, the enigmatic detective Sergeant Cuff, the drug-addicted scientist - each speculate on the mystery as Collins weaves their narratives together.

you will love The Moonstone. Once again, Collins uses his brilliant device of multiple narratives to create a rich, layered story full of complicated and wonderfully drawn characters interacting in complicated and marvelously believable circumstances to bring into being a simply fascinating mystery that compels the reader to go on and on until the end is finally reached. Since it is a mystery, I will not reveal too much of the plot, but simply say that if you love suspense and finely crafted literature, this is a book that you cannot miss--and once you begin, you will not be able to put it down.

I loved the narrator. He did a really great job with the distinctive characters' voices.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite part was when the book was describing the religious zeal of one of the characters and how much it annoyed others, unbeknownst to her. It seemed very contemporary in that way!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh, I don't know about that. This story isn't something you rush and it is too long for that. But, there were times I wish I didn't have to stop listening.

Any additional comments?

I got this book only because it was cheap. At first, I was afraid it would be a little boring. However, it really picks up after the prologue. I especially love the parts narrated by the character of Gabriel Betteredge. You really get to know and love (or hate) the various characters in this book. It is interesting to look at the characters through the different interpretations of the each of the narrators. Although there is plenty of mystery surrounding the Moonstone, don't be expecting a fact-paced suspense novel. However, I was glad it took so long to resolve the mystery. It gives time for character development, as well as twists and turns of plot. It was well worth the money.

I understand this has been described as the first English detective novel, and that's why I bought it. It was performed to perfection. The reader couldn't have done better with all the voices and accents. The story was very good. But it just went on and on and on. Not my cup of tea, but I see others here have truly liked it.

This is considered the first mystery/detective novel in English. Written in the second half of the 19th Century, the story and writing is very good for it's time. For most of today's reader I would except it to be too wordy, too detailed and too boring. For me it was not so. I could imagine the audience lining up before the store opened where they could purchase the next installment of the story. It must have been riveting. The language teaches a lot about the customs and culture of that time with great insight into the characters and their thoughts, reflections and assumptions of their station in life. For anyone interested in this period or interested in what popular mysteries evolved from, this is a must read or in this case, listen. The performance was good enough that I wasn't distracted and could easily become emerged in the story but he wasn't as good as the likes of Jim Dale, Simon Prebble or Davina Porter.

Its quaintness, its prose and its setting. I realise that it is considered to be the first detective novel, but by giving it a notional genre, there is a danger that it will be limited to that in the reader's expectation. It is much, much more than a detective novel. And it is very much a novel of its era. I believe that it was released in serial format initially and it lends itself to this very well. There is a gentle antiquity to it and reading a chapter or two then having an enforced break (while the author writes the next two chapters perhaps!) is a charming way to consume this book. Especially in this world of endless racing and pacing.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

No, not on the edge of my seat - it is a mystery but not a thriller. Being set in and written in the 19th century, it reflects that slower epoch.In fact, the plot was unbelievable in these times, but it was a vehicle for the other aspects of the novel, like the writing, the construction and the 'twist in the tail'.

What about James Langton’s performance did you like?

I thought this was an excellent novel for reading aloud. I liked the sound of the narrator's voice and was impressed by his ability to draw the characters in my mind with his changes voice for each one.His pace was good, not too slow so that the story dragged on and on - it is a long book, but not so fast that I felt rushed by the speed of his delvery.Wonderful diction too.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I enjoyed listening to it as and when I had time. I liked being able to return to the beginning of chapters if I had been away for a while, or just going back 30 seconds in order to refresh my memory.

I super enjoyed this little mystery. If it had been written today I would have given a 4... but a writer from 1878 holding my attention fully earned my 5. Said to be the first detective mystery... with a little romance on the side. Much like Mr. Collin's "Lady in White" with a slightly less convoluted plot. Male voices more enjoyable than the females... but nice job on narration.

I am so impressed with James Langton's performance with this wonderful book. He helps to give the characters three dimensions and makes them come fully alive. And he delivers Wilkie Collin's excellent sense of humor with such skill. I can't remember enjoying an audio book this much. I would love to see Langton act in person.